in most atolls. Also, there aren’t adequately trained persons in most of the public offices, to communicate with persons with disabilities like hearing impaired people.97,98 62. Very few awareness programs have been conducted in the islands to create awareness among the public on the rights of persons with disabilities.99 HRCM found out in its monitoring trips that children with disabilities often are not given the opportunities to take part in societal and cultural activities. The committee may wish to ask the government 1. 2. 3. 4. Access to public buildings and spaces to persons with disabilities Status of implementing ‘Disability Minimum Standard’. Status of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Early identification and intervention initiative for disability, especially during pregnancy and for infants. 5. Awareness program designed to address societal attitude towards children with disabilities, to enable respect for the rights and dignity of children with disabilities and combat stereotypes and prejudices relating to children with disabilities. Health and Health Services (Article 24) 63. Despite the increase in health care facilities established throughout the country, their quality of service remains poor and most hospitals or health posts are not equipped with proper emergency obstetric facilities and are incapable of doing the most basic laboratory tests and examinations.100,101 64. Regional and atoll hospitals as well as health centers in the atolls lack adequately trained health professionals and most hospitals have one specialist doctor in most demanding areas like pediatrics and gynecology.102,103 There are no replacement doctors available if a specialist doctor takes a leave of absence forcing the patient to travel another atoll or regional hospital or to the capital city, which is often very costly and unaffordable to most people.104 Furthermore, it is alarming to learn that survival of premature infants and in some cases, mature infants may not be possible as appropriate neonatal intensive care or resuscitation measures are not available in most of the health facilities.105,106 Child Deaths (Under 18 years) in Health Facilities YEAR 2007 2008 2009 NO. OF DEATHS* 79 104 89 2010 2011 2012 2013 100 78 91 66 *Note: These data does not include Abortions and still births and health facilities include Hospitals, health centers and health posts. Source: Ministry of Health, 2015 Page 15 of 39